Article
Case Management as Cross-Sectoral Health Care Provision for Women with Breast Cancer
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Authors
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Andrea Thorenz
- beta Institut, Augsburg, Deutschland
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Christa Rottscheidt
- beta Institut, Augsburg
| Published: | March 20, 2006 |
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Outline
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Goals of the study: The aim of this project was the implementation of an support and information agency according to the methods of case management as well as a collateral evaluating study.
A case manager contacts the patients within 48 hours after their initial diagnosis.
By means of a multi-axial assessment procedure (based on the ICF categories of the WHO) the case manager analyses the individual requirements regarding to psychological and social support and compiles a care plan.
The patients are then supported for about one year.
Important instruments of the case management process which have been adopted and tested in this project are assessment based instruments, defined forms of intervention and an evaluation of the results. An evaluation studies the effects of the of mammaNetz support in respect to psychosocial, organisational and process oriented factors as well as quality of life.
Materials and Methods: The methodological approach of the research project is designed as a multi-centrice longitudinal case-intervention/control- study group investigation that is based on the instruments of acost-benefit analysis in which the control group was analyzed first. Overall 213 patients with breast cancer were interviewed in both groups. In addition to this also networking-partners like resident doctors, psychologists specialized in oncology and other care providers were surveyed twice focused on their experience with the mammaNetz support.
Anticipated Results: The study will be completed in autumn 2005. A first evaluation of the data already shows a positive influence on the psychosocial condition of the affected women (particularly reduction of fear) and on their handling of the disease. This positive change was noticed also by the networking partners (especially doctors). The patients are better informed, more aware, mentally more stable and more self-confident
Conclusion: It is possible to transfer this scientifically evaluated model also to other patient groups with high risk diseases like stroke and coronary heart disease.
